We are finalizing our late Sept plans for the RS Heart of Portugal. Seems as though getting dinner reservations is recommended. We would love to hear from others about their dinner experience and recommendations.
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29 posts
We had a great time at the Wine Box in Porto -- so much so that we went back twice.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7024 posts
We didn’t have a reservation anyplace we ate at last September, but we arrived early. A number of places we ate at on our trip were completely full by the time we finished eating.
In Óbidos we had a nice meal at Adega do Ramada. In Coimbra we thoroughly enjoyed Restaurante Dom Espeto. My wife and I had a sword/skewer dish that came with a variety of meats and more side dishes than we could eat. Including wine, the bill was about €30. Just down the street from it is the Italian Restaurante Il Tartufo. It too was good.
A no frills casual restaurant in Porto we ate at is Pimms Café. We also ate at Honest Greens Santa Catarina and it was fine. Finally, we did the tourist thing and had dessert at the Majestic Café. It was extremely busy and we had a short wait to get in. While I liked the interior of the historic café and you’re paying for it. I felt the dessert and port pairing was e pensive for what it was.
Posted by
San Franciso Bay Area, USA
1011 posts
We ate at a number of wonderful places, but the two I would go back to in a minute are
Ofício in Lisbon. This is a Chiado neighborhood tapas-like place. The food is inventive take on modern Portuguese. It has been almost a year and I still think about the salad with basil oil and tomato granita, the oxtails, and the cod. The prices are reasonable. They have an extensive list of Portuguese wines. Most of all the service was warm and inviting.
Pregar in Porto. Super casual place with the best beef sandwiches and sangria. The place does take reservations. You can get in if you don't have them, but it is a wait. One that is well worth it. The service is excellent, really nice vibe, casual, but somehow chic.
Posted by
OP
Seattle suburbs
71 posts
I will dive into these tomorrow Thanks, but lets get more.
PS looks like cash only is not unusual?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7024 posts
Believe all the restaurants we ate at accepted credit cards, but there are plenty of small shops, bars, and cafes that only accept cash.
Posted by
State of Washington, USA
266 posts
We visited Portugal in Aug 2023 (Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon). Our trip report mentions restaurants we found noteworthy: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-portugal-aug-sep-porto-coimbra-lisbon-then-to-spain
Most -- but not all -- restaurants we dined at accepted credit card payment.
Posted by
OP
Seattle suburbs
71 posts
Geoffb loved your trip report. Lots of good information and the use of links. I have cut and pasted gig pieces to my travel notes. Thank you